Live by the FunK

Posted on January 12, 2015 by C. Hannibal

I first met DāM-FunK at Cinespace in LA some time in 2007. He was something I never saw before, a funked out space alien with turntables, shouting out the names of $200 records as he played for a crowd of hipsters. Well, the man, a former Inglewood hip-hop keyboardists, now key-tarist, has made some big strides in his career and is the modern day incarnation of a funk artists. And instead of playing for other people at Cinespace,  he has his own long running L.A. residency called Funkmosphere.

I caught up with DāM-FunK before he stopped in Houston (for those taking notes, si…I’m in Houston now, but more on that later.)  Here’s what we talked about. Full interview at Houston Press.

Rocks Off: So what happened after you saw that tweet about modern funk, and why was it incorrect in your opinion?
DāM-FunK: One of the guys on Twitter was like “Nah, you can’t forget about Dam-Funk.” So, it’s like it caused a little lightening storm a couple of days ago and I watched it. I would hope that people, the historians, writers and critics can keep the facts straight because now they’re going to try to use “modern funk” as the term now, because they know they can’t say neo-soul any more.

And I just hope that people don’t forget about some of the funk that really is happening with synthesizers, drum machines, and beautiful chords. It’s not the chicken scratch type style of funk or soul that was considered modern funk. So the guy from Jimmy Fallon’s show, he incorrectly is trying to change history — innocently if you will — because I think right now people are just do excited that D’Angelo dropped this record.

Continue reading →

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment »

Your dream might be a Ja Rule, Ice-T movie

Posted on January 4, 2014 by C. Hannibal

Image

In this new year of 2014, I wish everyone a chance to get closer to their dreams.

My sister asked me the other day, “what do you do at your job?”

I sad, “Well, I mostly upload stuff to the web and make posts on Facebook and Twitter.”

“I’m really a writer though.”

“That sounds awesome, are they hiring?”

Nah, dude. They’re not. Go paint a picture (she’s a talented artist), or better yet, go write a screenplay.

I met a guy recently who wrote a script. He made it into a movie with Ice-T and Ja Rule as actors in it. The screenwriter also starred in it. You see it? It’s pictured above.

Filed under: cinema culture, digital media | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

In Japan you might be safe sleeping in the streets

Posted on December 7, 2013 by C. Hannibal

Image

 

The homie Masaaki continues to send me photo dispatches from Japan.

Here is a shot taken some time after party hours at the Ueno St station.

Masaa tells me in Spanish (because he’s still learning English and my Japanese isn’t so good): “Aqui en japon nunca pasa robar su pertenencia aun que persona durmiendo en la calle somos seguro.”

Basically, he says that Japan is so safe at night that you can become slouched somewhere in public and chances are slim to none that someone will run your pockets.

Nice.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Why can’t we be down with big robots, too?

Posted on December 1, 2013 by C. Hannibal

Image

 

It’s almost an injustice that our society doesn’t respect giant robots as much as the Japanese. I mean, would you see  a display like this in front of the local mall in New Jersey? Probably not. Ever. Like in a million years. This photo was shot recent in Shinjuku.

We just don’t like big ass robots, and I don’t know why. It killed “Pacific Rim” at the box office this summer and it made a really dope movie like “Iron Giant” a flop at the box office when it dropped some 13 years ago.

Long live big ass robots, yo. The Japanese can’t be wrong.

Photo by: Masaaki S.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Notes from Masaaki

Posted on November 20, 2013 by C. Hannibal

Image

He says  Shibuya,  downtown Tokyo, is the place to be. Masaa as I call him, was making his way to work when he dropped me these two photos.

We go back a long way.

It was Japan’s steady two-hundred-year relationship with Mexico that helped me make the acquaintance of Massaki S. that summer. He went to Mexico City on a four-year personal cultural exchange. Just him, his Yen and his dreams of working less than a 6-day work week.

The homie was in intermediate level three Spanish class with me at the state university back in 2008.

He back on his Japan grind, leaving his home in the country for a courier gig in the big city.

Below, he’s on the 15:30 train on the Hanzomon line. We’ll see how his invite to join him for the Olympics pans out.

Filed under: visually speaking | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

Officer Big Mac

Posted on September 30, 2013 by C. Hannibal

Image

 

It’s the little things you remember when you were growing up. For instance, there was a time when there was no McDonald’s on the Garden State Parkway. I remember when this quasi-rest stop was new.

It had a vibrant Mickey D’s display with a bunch of characters. I thought it was ironic that the law enforcement character was behind bars, but I know it was probably for his own protection.

 

Even though I go here almost never, the McDonald’s near exit 142 on the GSP will always hold a special place in my heart.

I just hope they keep the caged Officer Big Mac forever.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: | Leave a comment »

Niña In the Game

Posted on September 22, 2013 by C. Hannibal
Niña Dioz with French Montana and Raekwon at in New York City, 2013 Photo: Niña Dioz on IG

Niña Dioz with French Montana and Raekwon at in New York City, 2013
Photo: Niña Dioz on IG

When I wrote about this young woman in 2009 I had no idea she’d still be around to bask in the glory of fame and hip-hop. She’s stuck it out, and while I’m not an unabashed fan of her music, I kind of dig that she did a few things: come out the closet and continue to perform and make music. Truthfully, I don’t give a damn that she came out, but from what I’ve heard it’s the queer community that’s giving her heavy support back in Mexico. That’s one way to keep those concert dates hitting.

Here she is at some industry shin-dig with the flavor of the moment, French Montana and the  Wu-Tang Chef Raekwon.  She made a quick East Coast tour stop in May 2013, when she played shows in NYC and Philly.

Filed under: cultural history, mexican culture, music | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Next Page »